Summary
Eight male subjects were studied during a five-hour period following three different doses of a) 0.33, b) 0.44, and c) 0.66 g alcohol per kg body weight.
The main dependent variables of the investigation were 1. blood alcohol concentration, 2. self-estimated degree of intoxication, and 3. observed degree of intoxication. The subjective scales were obtained by the method of magnitude estimation. Corresponding curves of self-estimated and observed degree of intoxication were in very close agreement. In most respects the subjective estimation curves also showed a far-reaching agreement with the corresponding blood alcohol curves: a fast intitial growth followed by an essentially linear decline. The rate of decline of the subjective curves was, however, much faster.
In addition to these principal data, 4. self-estimates of certain mood variables were obtained, and 5. two objective performance tests were administered. Nearly all curves obtained in the experiments showed a maximal effect about 30–50 min after alcohol intake. The subjective variables, and particularly those related to general intoxication, were on the whole more affected by alcohol than were the performance variables.
The results of the present investigation with three doses of alcohol substantiate and widen the conclusions based on a previous study with a single moderate dose.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bonnichsen, R., and G. Lundgren: Comparison of the ADH and the Widmark procedures in forensic chemistry for determinating alcohol. Acta pharmacol. (Kbh.) 13, 256 (1957).
Drew, G. C., W. P. Colquhoun, and A. A. Long: Effect of small doses of alcohol on a skill resembling driving. Memor. med. Res. Coun. (Lond.) 38 (1959).
Ekman, G.: Some aspects of psychophysical research. In: W. A. Rosenblith (Ed.), Sensory Communication, p. 35–47. New York: Wiley 1961.
—, M. Frankenhaeser, L. Goldberg, K. Bjerver, G. Järpe, and A.-L. Myrsten: Effects of alcohol intake on subjective and objective variables over a five-hour period. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 4, 28–38 (1963).
Frankenhaeuser, M., and G. Järpe: Subjective intoxication induced by nitrous oxide in various concentrations. Scand. J. Psychol. 3, 171–176 (1962).
—, A.-L. Myrsten, and G. Järpe: Effects of a moderate dose of alcohol on intellectual functions. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 3, 344–351 (1962).
—, K. Sterky, and G. Järpe: Psychophysiological relations in habituation to gravitational stress. Percept. motor Skills 15, 63–72 (1962).
Goldberg, L.: Quantitative studies on alcohol tolerance in man. Acta physiol. scand. 5, Suppl. 16 (1943).
- Tolerance to alcohol in moderate and heavy drinkers and its significance to alcohol and road traffic. Proc. 1st Internat. Conf. on Alcohol and Road Traffic. Stockholm 1951, p. 85–108.
- Metabolism and action of alcohol. Long-term studies on acute and chronic effects in man. Proc. 26th Internat. Congr. Alcohol and Alcoholism, Stockholm 1964.
Rosner, B. S.: Psychophysics and neurophysiology. In: S. Koch (Ed.), Psychology: a Study of a Science, Vol. 4, p. 280–333. New York: McGraw-Hill 1962.
Stevens, S. S.: On the psychophysical law. Psychol. Rev. 64, 153–181 (1957).
Widmark, E. M. P.: Die theoretischen Grundlagen und die praktische Verwendbarkeit der gerichtlich-medizinischen Alkoholbestimmung. Berlin: Urban & Schwarzenberg 1932.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This investigation was supported by research grants from the Swedish Council for Social Science Research (G. E., M. F.) and from the Alcohol Committee of the Swedish Council for Medical Research (L. G.).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ekman, G., Frankenhaeuser, M., Goldberg, L. et al. Subjective and objective effects of alcohol as functions of dosage and time. Psychopharmacologia 6, 399–409 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00429567
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00429567